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As the High Holidays approached this past September, JCCGCI continued its longstanding tradition of caring for the most vulnerable members of our community. Through our Annual Rosh Hashana Food Distribution, we ensured that over 750+ low-income older adults and Holocaust survivors were able to usher in the new year with dignity, comfort, and joy. These efforts go far beyond nourishment—they are about making sure no one in our community feels forgotten during the most meaningful times of the year.
This year’s distribution was truly remarkable. Over the course of three days, volunteers came together to pack and distribute food bags filled with holiday essentials. We began packing on Monday, September 8th from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and distributed on Tuesday, September 9th and Wednesday, September 10th from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The outpouring of support was so great that, for the very first time, we finished packing every bag on the first day—a task that usually takes two full days!
Pictured Above: JCCGCI staff distributing food at distribution.
The food bags were thoughtfully curated to include both fresh and shelf-stable staples for the holiday, such as tea biscuits, honey, grape juice, challah rolls, gefilte fish, matzo ball & soup mix, spaghetti, chickpeas, canned vegetables, and plenty of fresh produce. Each bag also contained eggs and chicken leg quarters, allowing recipients to prepare a traditional holiday meal.
Pictured Above: Shelf stable pantry items : honey and gefilte fish
We were deeply moved by the number of community partners and leaders who joined us. Mayor Eric Adams stopped by to show his support, along with Assemblymember Michael Novakhov and his team, New York Police Department Deputy Chief Richard Taylor, representatives from Apple Bank locations across NYC, the ADL, and Councilmember Justin Brannan’s office. Volunteers also joined us from Project H.O.P.E., NYC Aging, and of course our dedicated JCCGCI staff. Together, this collective effort turned what could have been a daunting logistical challenge into a celebration of community, compassion, and unity.
Pictured Above: Volunteers from various Apple Bank branches, JCCGCI Executive Director Rabbi Wiener, JCCGCI Grants Manager Paige Ruggles, JCCGCI Chief Financial Officer Liz Healy.
Beyond the main distribution, JCCGCI also held a smaller Rosh Hashana food distribution at our Haber House Older Adult Center in mid-August, where we provided 70 packages to local older adults. These bags, filled with shelf-stable holiday essentials, ensured that even more community members could celebrate the holiday without worry.
Pictured Above: Over 750+ low-income older adults and Holocaust survivors lining up to receive grocery bags at our 2025 Rosh Hashana Food Distribution
For many of our older adults, especially Holocaust survivors living on limited incomes, preparing for Rosh Hashana can be overwhelming. Rising costs and limited mobility make even the basics hard to reach. Thanks to our volunteers, partners, and supporters, this year’s food distributions meant more than groceries. They meant hope, connection, and the ability to celebrate the High Holidays with dignity.
Pictured Above: Grocery bags at our 2025 Rosh Hashana Food Distribution
These efforts were made possible by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty’s Kosher Food Network (the largest kosher food network in the country), the Food Bank for New York City, the Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), United Way of NYC’s HPNAP program, the Orthodox Union, and generous private donations. We also thank the New York City Council, with special recognition to Councilmembers Justin Brannan and Inna Vernikov, as well as the leadership of the Brooklyn Delegation and its Co-Chairs, Councilmembers Chi Ossé and Farah Louis.
 Pictured above: Assemblyman Michael Novakhov; JCCGCI’s Managing Director of HSSS, Yehudah Zellermaier, LCSW; Kayla Santosuosso; JCCGCI Executive Director, Rabbi Wiener; a volunteer from the NYC Department for the Aging; JCCGCI’s Director of Internship Placement Services, Yair Rosenrauch; JCCGCI’s Director of Medicaid Advocacy, Ahuva Morris Pomerantz, LCSW; Associate Regional Director at ADL, Tova Chatzinoff-Rosenfeld; JCCGCI’s Executive Senior Grant Manager, Sara Chamama; and JCCGCI Grants Manager, Paige Ruggles.
Thanks to your support, hundreds celebrated Rosh Hashana with full tables and fuller hearts.
👉 Want to get involved? Volunteers are always needed for upcoming food distributions and programs. Stay connected with JCCGCI to learn how you can make a difference. Email us at info@jccgci.org or call 718-449-5000 for more information.
Pictured above: Volunteers and JCCGCI Staff packing grocery bags for the food distribution.
Pictured above: JCCGCI’s Director of Development, Jake Rosenblum.
ABOUT JCCGCI
Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) is a community-based organization with a citywide scope, providing a wide-spectrum of senior citizen, career, educational, crime-reduction, mental health, community revitalization and related services benefiting all segments of the population. JCCGCI is also a technical assistance provider, offering capacity building services to nonprofits in all five boroughs through its NonProfit HelpDesk division (www.nphd.org). With 40 program sites throughout New York City staffed by almost 400 social service professionals, JCCGCI assists an average of upwards of 2,500 needy individuals and families each day.
JCCGCI’s Holocaust Survivor Support Services is one of the largest in the world, providing critical assistance to over 4,000 Holocaust Survivors annually. Services include Homecare, Transportation, Case Management, Friendly Visiting, Medicaid Appeals, Socialization, and Home Delivered Meals.
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